Log in
Graph-theoretic and mathematically rigorous algorithmic methods developed at the University of Hertfordshire have improved the applicability of compiler technology and parallel processing. A compiler developed in the course of a ten-year research programme at the university has been successfully applied to a number of commercial problems by re-purposing the research tool. NAG Ltd has adapted the tool into a commercial product [text removed for publication]. Numerous applications of the mathematical methods (such as type-flow graphs used conjointly for correctness and optimisation) have been deployed by industry (including SAP, SCCH, German Waterways Board) working closely with the university.
As a result of collaborative commissioned research, the lead developers of a major atmospheric research and operational weather forecasting model have changed their approach to quality assuring model source code. Drawing directly on the research findings, the lead developer has taken the decision to adopt a new approach to the correction of inconsistencies and inefficiencies in source code and to alter the software build procedure to be followed by a large model development community. An additional impact, in the form of improved business competiveness, is felt by a British software and consultancy company, which has been able to enhance a key tool used in their quality assurance and platform migration work with a global client base.
Impact:
The underpinning research was exploited to design an exceptionally efficient Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), used in automotive Electronic Control Units (ECUs), and its associated schedulability analysis tools. Since 2008, the RTOS has been deployed in 50 to 55 million new ECUs each year. The RTOS has been standardised upon (used by default in all ECUs) by [text removed for publication]. ([text removed for publication] in terms of world-wide automotive powertrain systems suppliers. [text removed for publication] all rank in the top [text removed for publication] world-wide for chassis electronics). The RTOS is used in cars produced by [text removed for publication] as well as many others. Revenues from the RTOS exceed [text removed for publication] per year.
Impact: Controller Area Network (CAN) is a digital communications bus used by the automotive industry for in-vehicle networks. The underpinning research introduced techniques that enable CAN to operate under high loads (approx. 80% utilisation) while ensuring that all messages meet their deadlines. The research led directly to the development of commercial products, now called Volcano Network Architect (VNA) and the Volcano Target Package (VTP). This Volcano technology (VNA and VTP) is now owned by Mentor Graphics. In recent years, VNA has been used to configure CAN communications for all Volvo production cars, with VTP used in the majority of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) in these vehicles, including the S40, S60, S80, V50, V70, XC60, XC70, XC90, C30, and C70; total production volume 330,000 to 450,000 vehicles per year. This Volcano technology is also used by Jaguar, LandRover, Aston Martin, Mazda, and the Chinese automotive company SAIC. It is used by the world's leading automotive suppliers, including Bosch and Visteon. It is also used by Airbus.
A computer program, CASTEP, has been developed to use quantum mechanics to calculate the structure and properties of materials. The code is distributed commercially via Accelrys Inc. with sales, for example, in the automotive, electronics and pharmaceutical industries in excess of £1m per year since 1998, accelerating to over £2.5m per year recently and total sales (late 2012) exceeding $30m. Commercial applications include designing new battery materials and electrodes to improve the performance of electric cars (Toyota), integrating organic electronic materials for light-weight flexible displays (Sony), and developing new catalysts for hydrogen-powered fuel cells (Johnson-Matthey).
A spin-out company, Contemplate Ltd, is using advanced static analysis technology in global top-ten investment banks and other clients to discover previously undetected defects in enterprise-scale business-critical multi-threaded Java codebases. The impact is in terms of the benefits delivered to Contemplate's clients by this technology and in terms of the formation and growth of Contemplate as an employer and a successful business.
The impact of the research is evident in two areas of software engineering practice connected through software fault-proneness: (i) improper use of `design patterns', recognised reusable templates for how to design code; and (ii) the real benefits of `refactoring', a technique whereby code is intentionally changed by a developer to improve its efficiency and/or make it easier to read. Application of the research findings has led to significant impacts on software development at BancTec Ltd., a medium-sized, international IT company which, as a result, has changed its practices, challenging established approaches in industrial IT. The research has had, and continues to have, direct and sustained impact at BancTec through changed commercial practice and raised awareness of internal standards; this has led to increased training of developers and rollout of new internal software development standards in the UK and India, and as a template world-wide for 2,000 employees in 50 countries.
The High Performance Computing (HPC) application code HELIUM, developed at Queen's University Belfast to assist the development of attosecond technology, has impacted on the provision of public services through guiding procurement and acceptance testing of the high-performance computer facility HECToR. This facility was funded by UK Government with a total expenditure of £113M during 2007 - 2013. The HELIUM code was used for procurement and acceptance testing for the initial HECToR service in 2007 (Phase 1, 11k cores), and its upgrades in 2009 (Phase 2a, 22k cores), 2010 (Phase 2b, 44k cores) and 2011 (Phase 3, 90k cores). The HELIUM code was particularly invaluable in demonstrating that the Phase 2b and Phase 3 systems perform correctly at pre-agreed performance levels, since this code can be adapted to run for several hours over >80k cores.
Embedded software in the transportation sector (railway, automotive and avionics) needs to meet high reliability requirements because errors may have severe consequences. Research since 2008 in the UoA has developed effective reasoning technology to provide assurance that key error types are eliminated from embedded software, and has created novel algorithms to prove its integrity. Major players such as [text removed for publication] GM and Airbus have used technology developed in the UoA to verify the absence of errors. A particular advantage of this technology is its ability to reason about floating-point arithmetic, meaning that a much wider class of properties can be verified. The technology is widely distributed via third party operating systems and tool-sets.
CASTEP is a parameter-free and predictive quantum mechanical atomistic simulation code developed by Professor Payne in the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge. CASTEP has been sold commercially by Accelrys since 1995, with more than 800 industrial customers using the package. As part of Accelrys' Materials Studio, it can be used by non-experts to determine a wide range of physical and chemical properties of materials. Companies can thus perform `virtual experiments' using CASTEP. As quantum mechanical simulations can be cheaper and more flexible than experiments, CASTEP invariably reduces costs and accelerates product development.